Peredvizhnikia

Peredvizhnikia, alson known as ‘The Wanderers’ were a group of Russian realist artist who went against classical academy training and formed an artist’ cooperative. They created the Association of Traveling Art Exhibits to bring the Arts to the masses and educate ordinary people throughout Russia to appreciate Art.

They painted scenes that show the inequalities and injustices in the social structure of Russia, but also painted ordinary life with beauty to portrey the strong characters of folk people and the struggles they faced.

Barge Haulers on the Volga 1870-1873

Ilya Repin is a notable Russian Realist painter, most famous for his painting ‘Barge Haulers on the Volga.’ The painting is composed of 11 men on banks of the river Volga hauling a large barge, its is obvious hard strenuous work, but it celebrates the mens dignity and fortitude throughout inhumane labor. The young male youth in the middle stands out with his upright pose, brighter clothes and is a heroic figure in the painting, giving hope to the ordinary people.

Source: UCLA - http://estrand.bol.ucla.edu/